Haiti Reporting from Colombia

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000198 SIPDIS STATE FOR A/S VALENZUELA (WHA/FO) KWHITAKER (WHA/AND) JDICKSON, EKAUFFMAN, MMILLER, AND CWEST (WHA/PDA) EMBASSIES FOR PAO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAO KDEM OIIP HA CO SUBJECT: Haiti Reporting from Colombia REF: STATE 5277 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. All leading national and regional newspapers in Colombia continue their extensive coverage of the events in Haiti, and have highlighted the USG's quick response to the crisis. Post has closely followed the overwhelmingly positive coverage of the U.S. role in Haiti disaster assistance and has yet to see any criticism of the USG effort. Embassy Bogota plans a press event with Ambassador Brownfield highlighting joint U.S.-Colombian efforts with USAF planes transporting Colombian donations to Haiti. We continue to post on line and distribute USG messages/photos on the relief efforts and have responded to requests for information and spokespeople as appropriate, including arranging several live interviews for Colombian media with WHA Media Hub Coordinator Greg Adams. END SUMMARY ¶2. (U) Embassy Bogota has been closely following the overwhelmingly positive Colombian media coverage of the U.S. role in Haiti disaster assistance. All leading national and regional newspapers daily carry extensive coverage on the USG's quick response. The record contributions to the Red Cross through the HAITI 90999 text message system has been widely covered and continues to be reported on as the level of contributions grows. Among the most positive print coverage was an article that appeared in the 19 January edition of El Espectador, Colombia's second leading national daily (readership: Daily, 264,600; Sunday: 538,600)which featured an above the fold front page photo of U.S. Marines arriving in Haiti with the headline, "The Law has Arrived." ¶3. (U) Editorials and op-eds have also been largely positive when discussing the role of U.S. assistance. Leading national and regional newspapers have noted that while a global response is important, it is U.S. involvement and leadership that is critical. In particular, an El Tiempo (readership: 1,040,900 Sunday: 1.928.700; Internet: 1,229,600 hits per week) editorial on January 20th stated that despite recent negative comments (by the French), it is thanks to U.S. assistance that food and water are starting to reach the Haitian people. ¶4. (U) TV and radio footage of U.S. ships, soldiers, and SAR teams providing assistance, as well as playing a key role in restoring order. The visit of Secretary Clinton was extensively covered and media coverage focused on the coordination of international aid efforts. Vice President Biden and Homeland Security Director Napolitano's visit to Florida was also covered in broadcast, print, and online outlets. The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) granted to Haitians already in the U.S. has also received notable coverage. ¶5. (U) The only mildly negative comment was from an RCN reporter at Port-au-Prince airport who complained that the U.S. military had ordered all members of the press who had been camping out there to leave. He expressed concern for their security. Caracol TV reporters did not comment on the issue. ¶6. (U) To date there have been no negative editorials or op-eds regarding USG involvement in Haiti. There have been, however, a small number of straightforward wire service reports on critical statements made by French and Venezuelan government officials. Ambassador Brownfield addressed the press on January 15 after an unrelated meeting with indigenous community leaders where he reaffirmed that U.S. assistance would remain consistent, and that the USG would continue to work with the Haitian government in the long-term. His remarks were widely covered by broadcast media over the weekend. Embassy Bogota plans a press event with Ambassador Brownfield highlighting joint U.S.-Colombian efforts with USAF C-17 cargo planes transporting Colombian donations to Haiti. ¶7. (U) Post is actively responding to media inquiries and has posted updates to the Embassy's website, Facebook page, and Twitter feeds on USG efforts. This includes posting relevant excerpts from speeches/statements made by USG officials, official statements and photos, and links to relevant USG NGO websites. In addition, post arranged an interview with Greg Adams, State Department Media Coordinator for the Western Hemisphere on January 20 with La W Radio (estimated audience: 9 million, broadcast throughout Colombia and syndicated in Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador and major East Coast US markets) in which he clarified the extent and purpose of U.S. assistance in Haiti. It also provided him the opportunity to dismiss Chavez's claims that the earthquake was caused by U.S. nuclear testing. Post arranged another interview - this one for Cable Noticias - on Thursday, January 21 for Mr. Adams, and expects that it will also garner widespread attention when it airs on Friday, January 22. We will continue to enlist the assistance of the WHA Media Hub, in response to any inquiries that come in from the field, in coordination with WHA. NICHOLS